Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Well if you follow either of my blogs, you know how I feel about "tagging" ( a polite name for grafitti ). I think it is a disgrace and is ruining our cities. Case in point, this not so lovely courtyard. Located between the highly respected Musée de l'art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and thePalais de Toyko, it features some beautiful sculpture and a commanding view of la Tour Eiffel. This should be one of Paris' premier showplaces. Not so. It's filled with litter, skateboarders use and abuse it on a regular basis, and the sculpture and surrounding areas have been ruined by tagging. Considering how the rest of Paris' public gardens and monuments are kept in pristine condition, it remains a mystery as to why there has not been more attention given to this public venue.

Both photos were taken from windows of the Musée de l'art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. As you can see, la Tour is only a bridge away. The bottom statue appears to have escaped desecration although I can't vouch for the front of her.

Maybe they were tagging her cellulite ;) I do not approve either. I agree people should get it out of their system on their basement walls not art....especially right across from the "iron lady". Kids who do that do not have an appreciation or understanding of the beauty before them.

I see what you mean (re: your comment on Paree)...I agree with you about "tagging." No one has the right to draw their crap on public or private property no matter how "great" they think it is...and this is just disgusting! And depressing!

Maya and I were discussing this the other day and trying to figure out the line between urban art and tagging/graffiti. It's a very, very fine one.

My sister, while she was here, told me how surprised she was by all of the tagging and graffiti. I often have been, too. I've both found it jarring to see this kind of thing in Europe. I know that seems odd and inexplicable, but there you have it.

Boo to the bozo who tagged that statue and all the other bozos who tag. Talk about selfish and inconsiderate!

Paris Rouge Through My Lens, available on Blurb

About Me

I am a former elementary school teacher, a full-time photographer, lover of all things French ( whose French is slowly improving), obsessive Paris traveler, enthusiastic church and community volunteer, and grandmother to 5 delightful grandchildren.

Paris je t'aime

I fell in love with Paris in March 2007. It was as the French say, le coup de foudre : love at first sight. As a result of that trip, my photography took another direction. Since that time I have pursued a career of sorts in photography and dreamed of returning to the City of Light. November 2008 found me strolling the streets of Paris once again. My first visit I was so overwhelmed with the incredible beauty of the city, I photographed it as a "tourist". In 2008 I returned and I looked at the city with more of a photographer's eye. I wanted to capture the unique, the small details, and oh yes - the people! This blog was started as a photo diary of that trip, but I have been most fortunate to return to the city j'adore 15 times since. Each time I leave, I wipe a tear and start planning my list for the next trip. Paris may well be a moveable feast, but I think it's best savored in person! Someone told me that once you have been to Paris, you will leave a piece of your heart. I left mine right there, but I brought home some wonderful memories. It is my pleasure to share them with you.